Tweedledee Posted October 15, 2017 Share Posted October 15, 2017 18 minutes ago, Doc said: Just weighed it and it is 13.9 Kg or 2.2 stone Still a lot easier to lug around than a 16" dob then. You did say that a bit of extra weight will only make the thing even sturdier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Graham Posted October 15, 2017 Share Posted October 15, 2017 13.9 Kilos -- Love it -- Proper engineering Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted October 15, 2017 Author Share Posted October 15, 2017 A little over engineered is an understatement It weighs double what a normal DM mount weighs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAZ Posted October 15, 2017 Share Posted October 15, 2017 Even you ain't going to break that! Nice one Mick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted October 17, 2017 Author Share Posted October 17, 2017 Encoders fitted today. Works a treat, still to test it at night but feels really secure and professional. Tweedledee, tuckstar, philjay and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Bino-viewer Posted October 17, 2017 Share Posted October 17, 2017 That looks like a well engineered workaround Mick. Very ingenious. Nice job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweedledee Posted October 17, 2017 Share Posted October 17, 2017 A superb professional looking job Mick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAZ Posted October 17, 2017 Share Posted October 17, 2017 Looks tidy Mick, we need a clear night to try them now. It ain't looking good for the weekend again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted October 17, 2017 Author Share Posted October 17, 2017 I know Martyn. Maybe there will be a meet the end of the month so we can meet, that will be nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAZ Posted October 17, 2017 Share Posted October 17, 2017 I have a week booked off in November, It's going to be clear every night, all week! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brantuk Posted October 17, 2017 Share Posted October 17, 2017 Very nice job Mick Would love to see it in action - might try to make the next meeting if you're bringing it along. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted October 17, 2017 Author Share Posted October 17, 2017 Thanks Kim, and I'll bring it along. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8472 Posted October 18, 2017 Share Posted October 18, 2017 Excellent work, Mick. Thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Werisit Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 Fab job Mick. It's got me wondering now. I've been thinking about making a mount with slow mo's for the Altair 130 APO but a very smooth push pull might be the thing. I hung the 130 on my Vixen Porta 2. Definately not up to the job but what was also apparent was how far away the controls are, even though I have the flexy cable extension knobs (I seemed to be sitting miles away from the mount!!). This mount works well with my ST120 as it's short and has a central balance point. I didn't think about the balance point before I bought a big APO. So, now for some head scratching. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted October 24, 2017 Author Share Posted October 24, 2017 (edited) Thanks Alan. I think there is no need for slow motion controls as long as you can get the axis movements as sleek as possible. Big bearing surfaces help a lot and of course a handle to move it about. I find a little washing up liquid between the bearings really helps as well. Give it a try and build on, it's a great experience. After a lot of thinking and mulling this over I've decided to polish the mount to a mirror finish. You know how you sometimes start something and say " Why the hell have I started this" , well this is one of those moments. I've been emery clothing scratches out, then wet and dry 400, 800, 1500, and 2500 grit and then polishing and I'm knackered. One thing I've done is scribe the lines for holes etc to deep and this has caused so much more work to remove, lesson learnt and my next mount will be scribed better. Anyway I've bought a polishing kit to finish it off. http://www.thepolishingshop.co.uk/acatalog/Aluminium-Polishing-Super-Finishing-kit-4-x1--mops-with-Menzerna-Compounds-2370.html#SID=176 On another note managed an hour before it clouded over on Sunday night and it's working pretty good. A few sticky patches that I'm working on, but the accuracy seems pretty good and the balance is spot on. Edited October 24, 2017 by Doc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAZ Posted October 24, 2017 Share Posted October 24, 2017 That's going to look amazing when you have buffed it up. That polishing kit is a good price as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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